Dr. Audra Morse, Dean of the College of Engineering at Michigan Tech, is a distinguished professional with a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and degrees in Environmental Engineering. Her journey from student to dean highlights the importance of rigorous academic challenges and hands-on learning in shaping successful careers in STEM. Dr. Morse emphasizes the changing dynamics of engineering education, including the impact of COVID-19 on learning styles and the crucial role of resilience. The conversation underscores the need for a supportive environment from faculty and parents to help students navigate college life and excel in STEM fields.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. The Role and Responsibilities of a Dean in Engineering
2. Challenging the Status Quo in Engineering Practices
3. Women in Engineering: Progress and Challenges
4. Addressing the Engineering Shortage: Education and Retention Strategies
5. Preparing for Engineering: Advice for Students and Parents

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Michigan Tech- Dean, College of Engineering Michigan Tech

As Dean of the College of Engineering, Audra Morse seeks to enhance the world-class research, scholarship, and innovation Michigan Tech provides.

Connect with Dr. Audra Morse here on Linkedin

Dr. Syatta Wallace is an advocate for women in STEM and Founder of Janisaw Company. With over 15 years in developing gender-based programs, Dr. Wallace specializes in addressing the unique challenges women face in STEM careers. She shares her extensive experience in developing leadership and career development programs tailored for women in STEM. Her mission involves aiding companies in enhancing female leadership. As an award-winning scientist and professor, she draws from her own experiences as a woman of color in academia to empower the next generation. Dr. Wallace's initiatives include the wise-leadership series and the women of color STEM leadership lab, aiming to prepare diverse women for leadership roles. Recognized nationally, her work has been featured in Time, ABC News, CNN, and Essence. In this episode, she shares insights on advocating for women's success in STEM fields.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. Unique challenges women face in STEM fields, highlighting issues such as isolation, stereotype threat, and the high attrition rate among women.
2. The importance of career readiness, leadership skills, and the need for proactive efforts from institutions and companies to support and advance women in STEM.
3. Systemic challenges in academia and the workforce, the importance of self-care, personal development, and creating supportive communities.
4. Citing the active voices of the next generation and ongoing initiatives aimed at systemic change within STEM fields
5. Finding Joy and Strength in Supporting Others


Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

You can read Scyatta's book, Success in STEM Journal here! https://www.amazon.com/Success-STEM-Journal.../dp/B0CL4KK17K

STEMM Opportunity Alliance https://stemmopportunity.org/

Reboot Representation: https://www.rebootrepresentation.org/

You can read Scyatta's book, Success in STEM Journal here! https://www.amazon.com/Success-STEM-Journal.../dp/B0CL4KK17K

STEM Next Opportunity Fund is advancing the initial work of the Noyce Foundation, which invested $75 million over 25 years to launch out-of-school STEM learning and disrupt conventional thinking about how to get dramatic and sustainable results. (https://stemnext.org).

American Advancement for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) The world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of cutting-edge research through its Science family of journals, AAAS has individual members in more than 91 countries around the globe. (https://www.aaas.org).

Texas public universities and colleges are prohibited from having diversity, equity and inclusion offices and any units that perform DEI functions, with carve-outs only for registered student groups, data collection, academic instruction and research, guest speakers and student recruitment. (https://www.statesman.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/01/29/dei-ban-texas-sb17-law-meaning-guide-what-ut-public-universities-lost/72283717007/#:~:text=Texas%20public%20universities%20and%20colleges,guest%2

This episode of Ordinarily Extraordinary Conversations with Women in STEM' features Charli Matthews, a champion for empowering women in STEM fields and trades.

Charli Matthews is a visionary leader with a mission to Connect, Inform, and Educate the Global Pump Industry. Charli's groundbreaking online information and connection hub has reshaped industry communication. As a well-recognized and respected figure in key industry events, Charli bridges the gap between traditional practices and cutting-edge digital strategies. Her passion for #EmpoweringConnections is driving change for the process industries equipment manufacturers, engineers, and safety/reliability experts.

Charli's leadership extends beyond business; she's a fierce advocate for diversity and empowerment. As the Marketing Chair for the Fluid Sealing Association, she earned the prestigious Award of Merit for her dedication to industry growth. Additionally, Charli is deeply committed to empowering women in industry across the globe, championing their advancement and representation in traditionally male-dominated fields.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. Charli's Journey from Marketing to Empowering the Pump Industry
2. The Challenges and Triumphs of Starting Your Own Business
3. Navigating the Complexities of Gender Perception in the Workplace
4. The Power of Being Yourself in Professional Spaces
5. Global Outreach: Making a Difference in Uganda

Dr. Chanfeng Zhao is the VP of R&D Chemistry at TriLink BioTechnologies. She has over 25 years of experience in nucleotide and modified nucleotide chemistry for sequencing and genomics applications. She co-founded MyChem LLC, a company later acquired by TriLink, specializing in ultra-pure synthetic nucleotides. Chanfeng was the CSO and Co-founder of Sequlite Genomic (acquired by Fapon International), a company that was developing NGS instruments and reagents. Previously, Dr. Zhao was one of the first employees at Illumina, where she developed oligonucleotide attachment chemistry for BeadChip products. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from SUNY Buffalo and a B.Sc. in Petroleum Chemical Engineering. Dr. Zhao is an inventor on over 20 issued patents.


What do we talk about in this episode?

1. What are nucleotides & genomes?
2. The difference between chemistry and chemical engineering.
3. Chanfeng’s career path from chemical engineering to chemistry. Working at startups, starting her own company, and selling that company.
4. Her experience coming to the US and raising a son while going to grad school.
5. How her curiosity fuels her passion for science.

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

Genomics is an interdisciplinary field of biology focusing on the structure, function, evolution, mapping, and editing of genomes. A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes as well as its hierarchical, three-dimensional structural configuration. (Wikipedia)

Nucleotides are organic molecules composed of a nitrogenous base, a pentose sugar and a phosphate. They serve as monomeric units of the nucleic acid polymers – deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid, both of which are essential biomolecules within all life-forms on Earth. (Wikipedia)

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez.

AGTC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing genetic therapies for people with rare and debilitating ophthalmic, otologic and central nervous system (CNS) diseases. (https://agtc.gcs-web.com)

Abigail Fritschel is about to graduate from Iowa State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Abby was first on the podcast as Episode 13 when she had just graduated from high school in the summer of 2020. She's back to provide an update on college life, her college experience vs. her expectations, internships, Society of Women Engineers and what she'll be doing when she graduates this spring.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. College expectations vs. reality.
2. Why Abby almost quit engineering and what made her stick with it.
3. How Abby found and got involved with Society of Women Engineers.
4. Abby's internship experience.
5. What Abby will be doing after college.

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

Society of Women Engineers - For more than seven decades, SWE has given women engineers a unique place and voice within the engineering industry. Our organization is centered around a passion for our members’ success and continues to evolve with the challenges and opportunities reflected in today’s exciting engineering and technology specialties. (https://swe.org)

Asha Devasia is an executive with experience in strategy, products, innovation and operations in the Energy industry. She leveraged her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Business and her MBA to transition to leadership early in her career. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and empathetic leadership style.


What do we talk about in this episode?

1. Asha’s career journey and how she got into strategy and leadership.
2. Deep dive into Asha’s leadership style and roles within her career.
3. The importance of prioritization and the importance of family and friends as she began her family.
4. We discuss motherhood and women’s decisions to continue working or stay at home. Asha’s provides her advice on making decisions.
5. The importance of having a support system and having key people in your life that provide honest feedback.
6. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you go through life.

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

Dallas CASA – Every year, more than 20,000 Dallas County children are reported abused or neglected. Some of them must be removed from their homes because it isn’t safe for them to remain. Many enter foster care and wait for the complex, often lengthy process in which a judge will determine where they may safely and permanently live. During this time they may move from one temporary home to another, never knowing what will happen next. This is where a CASA volunteer steps in. (https://www.dallascasa.org)

Sylleste Davis is a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 100th District. She is the Chair of the House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee. Prior to representing the people of South Carolina, Sylleste worked at an electric company in various roles from Information Technology to Power Supply leadership positions. Sylleste has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Computer and Information Systems Management.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. What does a Sylleste do as a State Representative?
2. How did she get started in politics and why did she go into it?
3. How does her experience in the utility industry and technology background fit into her work in politics.
4. Why she majored in math and our joint love of mathematics (and architecture).

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

Sylleste Davis Legislature Biography: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0456249946

Kathy Ford is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Kura Oncology. She has over 30 years experience in biopharmaceuticals. She is equally passionate about the work she does bringing treatment to cancer patients and as a mom and grandmother. Kathy earned her R.N. from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing and her B.S.N. from Fitchburg State College.

What do we talk about in this episode?

1. Kathy's journey from nursing, being a stay at home mom, and back into the job market and into executive management in biopharmaceuticals.
2. The changes she has seen for women in medicine and STEM fields over the past several decades.
3. The importance of family in her life. Grandmotherhood is her greatest joy!
4. Her passion for working for a company working to treat and cure cancer.
5. The importance of women, especially in higher positions, using their voice to support other women.
6. What does a COO do?

Music used in the podcast: Higher Up, Silverman Sound Studio

You can support my podcast on Patreon here: https://patreon.com/user?u=72701887

Resources

Hematologic cancers begin in blood-forming tissue, such as the bone marrow, or in the cells of the immune system. Examples of hematologic cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. It's also referred to as blood cancer. (https://www.summitcancercenters.com/cancers-we-treat/hematologic-cancer/#:~:text=Hematologic%20cancers%20begin%20in%20blood,referred%20to%20as%20blood%20cancer.)

Some 37% of active physicians in the U.S. were women in 2021, up from about 36% in 2019, and about 47% of residents and fellows were women, according to the AAMC report.Large gender pay gaps still exist, however. A 2021 report from the Rand Corporation published in Health Affairs found female physicians earn $2 million less than men over the course of their career, with the largest gaps in male-dominated specialties. (https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/AAMC-us-physician-workforce-women-specialties/640621/#:~:text=Some%2037%25%20of%20active%20physicians,according%20to%20the%20AAMC%20report.)